Community Connect is an event designed as a one-stop-shop, providing a variety of free services for people who are struggling economically, to help connect them with resources available from agencies and non-profits in the community.

For the first time ever, a Community Connect event will be held in Ely – on Tuesday, September 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ely Area Community Hub, 760 Miners Drive East.

This free event has a focus on being age-friendly, where people can stop in for a meal, access multiple services and learn about resources available to them. In addition to the free meal, this Community Connect event will offer free hygiene items, housing supports, older adult resources, child and family resources, health insurance services, mental health resources, substance use disorder services, warrant resolutions, vaccine and disease education, and more.

Arrowhead Transit will provide free rides to and from the event on existing bus routes.

Community Connect is based on the national Project Homeless Connect, which began in San Francisco in 2004 and has since spread around the country. This Community Connect is co-sponsored by St. Louis County Public Health, Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital, Essentia Health, AEOA, Medica and Blue Cross Blue Shield.